Former West Brom Midfielder Quevin Castro Dies at 25 After Collapsing in Portugal Friendly

Quevin Castro collapsed in the 10th minute of a pre-season friendly in Lisbon on Saturday, August 22, and died at the hospital a short time later. He was 25.

Castro was playing for third-tier Portuguese club Real Sport Clube, commonly known as Real Massama, against top-flight side Estrela da Amadora at the Estadio das Seixas. The Lisbon Football Association confirmed he "passed away this morning during the pre-season friendly."

Medical staff from both teams rushed onto the field. According to the Nottingham Post, citing Portuguese outlet A Bola, a defibrillator was used on the pitch. Attempts to resuscitate him failed. He was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The match was called off.

No official cause of death has been released by Portuguese authorities or either club as of Saturday evening.

Real Sport Clube issued a statement calling Castro "much more than just a player" and "an integral part of our family, leaving an indelible mark on all those who knew him, both on and off the pitch." Estrela da Amadora extended condolences to Castro's family and to "the entire Real Massama structure," closing with "Rest in peace, Quevin."

A career built in England's lower leagues

Castro was born in Portugal but moved with his family to Thetford, Norfolk, where he attended secondary school, according to the Daily Mail. His full name was Quevin Moises Cachicote da Rocha de Castro.

He came up through Sporting CP's academy before signing his first professional deal with Thetford Town in 2017. He had trials at Ipswich Town, Sutton United, Chelsea and Arsenal, according to the Daily Mail, before West Brom signed him on a two-year contract in the summer of 2021.

His West Brom career was brief: two appearances total. He debuted on August 25, 2021, starting a 6-0 League Cup loss to Arsenal, and made his only league appearance as a substitute in a 2-0 Championship defeat to Swansea City in February 2022.

From there he bounced through loan spells and lower-league clubs. He spent time on loan at Burton Albion in League One and Notts County in the National League, where he made 14 appearances and scored four goals, according to the Nottingham Post. He also played for York City, Gateshead, King's Lynn, Chippenham Town and Eastbourne Borough, plus non-league sides including Mildenhall Town, Norwich CBS, Leiston and Bury Town.

He left Eastbourne Borough this past July to sign with Real Sport Clube back in his native Portugal. He had turned 25 on August 16, six days before he died.

Clubs respond

West Brom called the news "devastating" and said the Championship club will hold a period of applause in the 25th minute of Sunday's match against Burnley, with players wearing black armbands. Notts County said in a statement: "We are shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of our former player, Quevin Castro. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this very sad time."

Fan reaction on West Brom supporter channels was immediate. One fan wrote: "RIP Quevin. What a shock. Condolences to the family." Another said simply: "That's devastating. Far too young."

Portuguese medical examiners have not released findings on what caused Castro's collapse. Sudden cardiac events during athletic competition, while rare, have prompted ongoing debate in European football over mandatory cardiac screening protocols for players at all levels, including in lower and non-league divisions where such testing is less standardized than at the top flight. Whether Castro's death triggers any review of screening requirements at Portugal's third-tier level remains an open question.